Shrine of Flaming Capitalism

When it’s GOOD to be a DEMOCRAT!

Dear Friends: Those of you who are regular readers know my accounts of being a Tea Party Democrat quite well. It’s an adventure!!! 🙂

Today, I have a collection of stories that explain why I have remained one, despite the antics of some of my party membership. I am going to outline some of my key reasons for staying so as I cover these pieces.

Reason #1: Better an honest enemy than a deceitful friend.

When I started my citizen activism, I was under no illusion that Obama, Pelosi, Reid, or any other key Democratic leaders would develop a taste for fiscal responsibility OR limited government. In fact, when a Democrat does something RIGHT, there is much joy. However, my Republican friends often expect their GOP representatives to actually act that they like their involvement.

Sadly, it seems that this is NOT the case: GOP Empire’s Plan to Crush Tea Party Rebels. An Atlantic Wire article details the thoughts of Republican consultants and fundraisers, who have the goal to subsume the Tea Party movement:

Step 1: The first rule of the establishment is: Do not admit you are part of the establishment!

Step 2: Disarm them with praise.

Step 3: Moderate whoever they pick as the 2012 nominee.

Step 4: Teach them about compromise.

Step 5: Never forget reality. This one is so sweeeeeet, that it needs to be quoted in full — Say all the nice things you want about the activists, but don’t forget who’s really running the show. Lobbyists and former House aide John Feehery told Bai, “The thing I get a kick out of is these Tea Party folks calling me a RINO … No, guys, I’ve been a Republican all along. You go off into your own little world and then come back and say it’s your party. This ain’t your party.”

Twitter apparently yanked [Krvaric’s] accounts after county Democrats contacted the company to complain about four handles purporting to represent Democratic San Diego City Council candidates — @SherriLightner, @ToddPhilips, @MatKostrinsky, and @MartiEmerald — in addition to @sddemocrats and its chairman, @JessDurfee.

“I applaud Twitter for acting quickly to shut the deceptive profiles down,” Durfee said on Wednesday. “Childish and unethical conduct online is nothing new, but I am disappointed to see that my Republican counterpart and his party may have been behind it.

Playing games with new media is really not a great idea (just ask Anthony Weiner). I can’t imagine my Republican Tea Party friends much appreciate the corrupt and incompetent use of a key tool in social media, especially with the 2012 elections looming large on the horizon. (Note: Krvaric has had a history of being involved in internet piracy; Twittergate seems to be a continuation of his approach).

Reason #3: California will be a one party state for the foreseeable future.

Tony’s Twitter antics reveal why that California conservatives are not being well served by the state Republican Party. I have heard that the rules and bylaws have been amended and enforced to keep newly minted citizen activists from making changes that could ultimately result an effective second party that could actually significantly challenge Democrats in this state. This leads me to give this warning to my Republican friends:

I have not forgotten that the real conservative candidate, Chuck Devore, was demeaned by the state GOP elites as being “unelectable”. He would have done at least as well, and given the grassroots passion that was out there for him, maybe even better. The people of nationally-known HillBuzz, who assisted Scott Brown during his historic MA run, were poised to go all in for Devore if he had one the primary. That aid could have meant the CA election would truly have gone national, and might have been really winnable.

Feinstein is a quietly politico who doesn’t gin up the negative emotion that Boxer does. If Democrats in this state kept “Call Me Senator” Boxer, then they will keep Feinstein.

So, here is some advice from a friend: Pick a senate candidate in the GOP primary you actually like — they are all equally “electable” in this state. In fact, radio talk show host AND experienced judge Larry Elder offered to run last time. He would “Hermanize” the CA senate race AND make lefty heads explode. See if he will run this time. Win or lose in this race, it would really make this election interesting and ultimately both the national and state Republican party could benefit.

Also, unless you get a candidate you really like, save your donation dollars to races in swing states that could counter Feinstein’s vote in the senate.

I view Obama and his administration as an existential threat to our Constitutionally-centered Republic. I just hope that my Republican friends select someone who is at least respectful to members the Tea Party movement, even if they don’t actually fully embrace free-market, limited-government, fiscally-responsible orientation of our ideas.

This represents the last statement I will make about the Presidential race, at least until the primary season is over. I won’t get involved in the backstage dramas. I just hope that the winner is ready for a media/Obama onslaught that will give new meaning to the term “scorched earth” politics.

You wrote: “I just hope that my Republican friends select someone who is at least respectful to members the Tea Party movement, even if they don’t actually fully embrace free-market, limited-government, fiscally-responsible orientation of our ideas.”

I desire the exact opposite. I honestly don’t care what they say about the tea party as long as they cleave to the embraceables you mention.

The Son, in the New Testament, warned that if people were speaking kindly of you, you probably weren’t doing your job.

I have long held the belief that in America, there are two parties: The Stupid Party and the Dangerous Party. As a long-suffering supporter of the Stupid Party, I can say that the California GOP has disappointed me more than any other entity except, perhaps, my San Diego Chargers!

It is grass roots, bi-partisan movements like the Tea Party that hold the most hope for change and salvation in the near future… Its up to us not to let the Establishment co-opt and derail our movement; but to co-opt and change the Establishment.